This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
(Single traveller bonus value £250 total)
✓ Return Economy airfares with a Full Service Airline
✓ All coach, rail and ferry transportation, including the iconic Japanese bullet train
✓ 12 nights in comfortable 3-star accommodation
✓ Daily breakfast, 1 dinner
✓ Fully escorted by professional, English-speaking guide
✓ Incredible sightseeing as per the itinerary, including the beauty of sakura (cherry blossoms) in beautiful destinations like Tokyo’s Ueno Park, Kyoto’s Heian Jingu Shrine and Lake Kawaguchiko with the backdrop of iconic Mount Fuji
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Today you will board your flight and travel overnight to Japan.
Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival to Tokyo, please make your own way to the starting point hotel.
This evening there will be a welcome meeting at the hotel to discuss some tour logistics and to give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers.
Arrival & check in:
Haneda International Airport (HND). The most popular way to travel from Haneda International Airport (HND) to Kichijoji Tokyo Rey Hotel is by train. Simply take the Keikyu Line to Nihombashi Station where you change to the Tozai Line to Kichijoji Station. From Kichijoji Sation it is a 1-minute walk to the hotel. The trip takes about 75 minutes and costs approximately 820 Yen.
Narita International Airport (NRT). The best way to travel from Narita International Airport (NRT) to Kichijoji Tokyo Rey Hotel is also by train. Take the Keisei Narita Skyaccess to Nihombashi Station and change to the Tozai Line towards Kichijoji Station. From Kichijoji Sation it is a 1-minute walk to the hotel. The trip takes 1hr 45 min and costs approximately 1710 Yen.
Travellers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time (3pm) you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in; however, this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
Please note: Some flights may depart Australia the night before
This is arguably one of the most extraordinary capital cities on the planet. The Tokyo metropolitan area spreads over three prefectures with 38 million residents.
In spring, local and international tourists alike flock to Japan to see the renowned cherry trees bloom and join in the sakura (cherry blossom) festivities. Even for a city so densely populated, Tokyo has a lot of parks and green spaces, making it perfect for sakura viewing.
Enjoy a full day tour of the city’s highlights. We’ll start with a visit to the Tsukiji Outer Market, a shopping district adjacent to the enormous former wholesale fish market. It’s a dream for foodies. This lively area is home to everything food-related – fresh ingredients, street food vendors, kitchen utensils. You’ll find great sushi and other restaurants around here, too.
We’ll see a beautiful public park that has served many purposes over the centuries. It was originally built as a feudal lord’s Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo period, but later served as a strolling garden and an imperial detached palace, before eventually being opened to the public in its current form.
Depending on the season's timing, your guide will carefully choose another viewing spot around Tokyo for you to enjoy these lush pink blooms and the joy of sakura.
Enjoy the serenity of Ueno Park, the city’s largest green space and home to numerous temples and museums. There’s even a zoo here. More than 800 cherry blossom trees line the wide central path. The first cherry trees were planted here by legendary shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, whose reign began the Edo Period (1603-1868). It’s said to be one of the oldest hanami (a cherry blossom viewing party) places in the city and it’s certainly a popular spot, so be prepared for crowds. The trees here typically bloom a little bit earlier. At night it’s especially magical when this space is lit up.
The annual blooming of sakura is a sacred occurrence that has been celebrated for over 1,000 years. Cherry blossom season is widely fêted all over the country. Hanami, usually with a picnic, is a chance to celebrate the arrival of spring and the transient, fleeting beauty of sakura.
You’ll have some free time for lunch and a wander among the blossoms.
In the heart of the quirky Harajuku district, we’ll stop at Yoyogi Park. It’s a popular gathering place year-round and in spring, with around 600 cherry trees, it’s another lively spot for hanami parties. We’ll then visit nearby Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu), located within a 170-acre forest in the centre of Tokyo. Constructed of cypress wood and copper, the shrine commemorates Emperor Meiji, who presided over Japan’s industrial revolution in the second half of the 19th century. This calm, peaceful escape is beautiful in cherry blossom season.
We’ll head to Kawaguchiko today, about a two hour drive. Lake Kawaguchiko is the most accessible of the Fuji Five lakes; popular sightseeing spots each offering an astonishing view of dramatic, iconic Mount Fuji. Sakura season aside, this is a great place to get back to nature.
Here we’ll visit Mt Fuji 5th station to hopefully view the divine mountain before visiting Oishi Park on the north side of the lake. Seeing the cherry blossoms with Japan’s most famous mountain in the background really is an experience. There are about 300 cherry trees on the northern shore, stretching for about a kilometre.
You’ll see the lakeside trail along the eastern shore of the lake that boasts many weeping cherry trees. There will be time for lunch.
This lake is also home to a cherry blossom festival held during the season, one of the most popular in the country.
We’ll drive to the traditional city of Takayama today, still home to many Edo-period buildings.
We’ll visit Matsumoto Castle, also known as ‘Crow Castle’ due to its dramatic black exterior. The donjon (keep) – Japan’s oldest remaining wooden keep, completed around 1593 – is listed as a National Treasure of Japan. This historic site is particularly lovely when hundreds of cherry blossom trees surrounding the castle are in bloom.
For a taste of authentic, old Japan, we’ll enjoy a tour of Takayama old town, nestled in the Hida mountains. This city still retains a traditional feel, especially in its beautifully preserved old town (Sanmachi Suji). Here you’ll find quaint, old latticed wooden buildings and Sannomachi Street, with pretty homes, restaurants and sake breweries. We’ll see the Takayama Jin’ya, the former government headquarters under the Tokugawa Shogunate from 1692-1871.
Afterwards we will continue to our traditional onsen hotel deep in the stunning Japanese alps.
Today travel to Shirakawa-gō Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has more than 100 'Gassho-style' houses, which feature steeply-pitched roofs. Built many hundreds of years ago, these historic houses stand together in a beautiful natural setting. Enjoy exploring this unique village with its thatched-roof houses sitting among gorgeous mountain scenery. Following this we will transfer to Kyoto where the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this UNESCO delight.
In north-eastern Kyoto, we’ll walk along the Philosopher’s Path, running alongside the Lake Biwa Canal. It’s perfect for a slow stroll under the fragrant blossoms.
Heian Jingu Shrine is a relatively young sacred location – built in 1895 – but this Shinto shrine is very impressive, with its enormous torii (sacred gate) standing almost 25 metres high. The garden behind the main hall – a shining example of Meiji-era garden design – is home to several weeping cherry trees.
Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion. This is a Zen temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold. The site is set within a beautiful classical Zen garden. The detailed architecture of Kinkaku-ji incorporates three distinct architectural styles – Shinden, Samurai, and Zen.
Today is a full free day to spend in Kyoto. This golden city was once the capital of Japan and sits on the island of Honshū. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. In the city's famous Gion district, Geisha can often be seen strolling through the streets.
This morning, we travel the short distance to Nara. Visit Tōdai-ji (Great Eastern Temple), famed for its Great Buddha Hall, which remains one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. This impressive building houses a 15m-tall bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. Following this we'll wander through gorgeous Nara Park, where more than 1200 tame sika deer roam freely.
Following our tour we'll depart Nara and head to Osaka, a vibrant tourist destination renowned for its food culture.
Today your main luggage will remain at the hotel in Osaka to meet you upon your return in two days time. Please ensure you have an overnight bag packed for your two evenings in Hiroshima.
After breakfast we'll depart Osaka to visit the so-called 'White Heron Castle', Himeji – it's the largest surviving example of a traditional Japanese castle. Comprising 83 buildings, the white roof of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex is said to evoke the wings of a heron taking flight, hence the popular name Shirasagi-jō (White Heron Castle). This is the most visited castle in Japan and the site offers some wonderful views of surrounding Himeji city.
From here we'll continue on to Kurashiki, a city on Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, where we'll tour the Bikan Historical Quarter, known for its centuries-old buildings and lovely local shops. After our visit here we'll transfer to our hotel in Hiroshima.
After breakfast this morning our guide will meet us in the hotel lobby. Together we'll board a ferry for the short trip to Miyajima, an island known for its forests and ancient temples. Just offshore, there's a 'floating' torii, which becomes partially submerged at high tide. It marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which was first built in the 12th century. Nearby, the Museum of History and Folklore has cultural artifacts in a 19th-century merchant's home. We’ll take a walk along Omotesando Shopping Street where you can grab some lunch before returning to Hiroshima by ferry.
Once we're back in Hiroshima we'll visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, otherwise known as the Genbaku Dome, or the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. A shell of a building that was one of very few left standing after the United States bombed Hiroshima in 1945. In Hiroshima today, locals have mixed feelings about the UNESCO World Heritage-listed structure: some see it as a reminder of war, while others consider it a tribute to the lost that ensures we'll never forget the tragic events that took place here.
Later, we'll visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which contains many poignant, yet important, exhibits. The flame in the cenotaph is intended to burn until the last nuclear weapon has been destroyed.
This morning we'll depart Hiroshima via the bullet train to Shin-Osaka Station. Upon arrival in Osaka we'll begin a full-day coach tour with our guide, beginning at Osaka Castle, which played a major role in the unification of Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the 16th century.
Later, we'll tour Kuromon Ichiba, one of the city's main food markets. This spacious covered market features vendors peddling street food, fresh produce, shellfish and trinkets and souvenirs.
After a short break for lunch our tour continues to the Minami area in the city’s south – a district that's bursting with boutiques, designers outlets, restaurants and bars.
We’ll also enjoy a walking tour of the Dōtonbori area. One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dōtonbori canal and is a hugely popular destination for shopping, street food, bars and entertainment. At night the streets here are illuminated by hundreds of colourful neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous running Glico Man sign and the Kani Doraku crab sign.
This evening we’ll enjoy dinner as a group at a local restaurant.
Today marks the end of your incredible tour through Japan. At the appropriate time, make your own way to the airport for your flight home.
Departure & check out:
There are several ways to travel from your hotel to either Osaka International Airport (ITM) or Kansai International Airport (KIX), from shuttle buses to trains and taxis. Transport to the airports can cost between 250 Yen to 21,000 Yen depending on the form of transport you choose. Your Tour Leader will be able to assist you arrange the most convenient way to the airport on the last day of the trip.
Travellers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out is from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost.
Please note - some flights may arrive home the following day.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
Not available.
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of £75 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”.
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations. You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Suggested amount for your guide, 500Y per person per day. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Twin Share Bedding Configuration At any time, bedding configuration is subject to confirmation by the hotel and based on availability. While you have the option to select either twin or double bedding at time of booking, our recommendation when travelling to Japan is to choose twin bedding, as the rooms are often bigger than those that have a double bed. If insisting on double bedding, please note that the rooms will be smaller and more narrow. As a general expectation, we cannot always guarantee bedding at all hotel stays.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is £650 per person in addition to the twin-share price.
Please note when choosing Single Supplement for this deal that you will receive a single room, which is smaller in size than a twin/double room. Unfortunately this is typical for Japan, as the cost to solely occupy a double/twin size room is incredibly high. We appreciate your understanding.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport information
It is the travellers responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your intended date of return to the United Kingdom.
British passport holders do not require a visa for travel to Japan.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
20-35 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Trip Style - Group Tour
Our Group Tours offer unparalleled value for money and are the perfect style of travel for those on a budget, though still eager to pack as much in to their itinerary as possible. These tours tick all the boxes with an abundance of inclusions such as sightseeing highlights, expert tour guides, quality accommodation, transfers, coach transportation, some meals and more. Please note that the maximum group size will vary between deals and will be mentioned within the Fine Print of each deal page.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent
You can enhance your package by choosing some of the following extra services available for this package:
Pre and post tour accommodation
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability. Alternatively, you may purchase 1 pre or post-night accommodation, at time of booking.
For more information on the weather in Japan, click HERE.
Inspiring Vacations UK is an ATOL Licensee (Licence number 11519). As such all flights and travel packages including transport and accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations UK are protected under the ATOL scheme. Upon booking with us you will receive an ATOL certificate as a record of this protection.